A local’s review of The Vaults Collective in Crystal Palace, South London, and Ivy and The Wolf – a secret cafe and plant shop, vegan cakes and unique homeware!
I remember very well the first time I crossed The Vaults Collective’s threshold: I’d been walking around Crystal Palace Park, in search of all the dinosaur sculptures.
At some point, since I was staying in Bethnal Green at that point and couldn’t go back home, I decided to settle at a coffee shop for some time.
Can you believe I made a friend at The Vaults Collective? It might be a reason why I love this rustic concept store so much.
She was the one who let me know of all the vintage shops in the Crystal Palace area, and she was the one who taught me about the Crystal Palace Triangle, which are literally three shopping streets where life happens in the neighborhood.
The Vaults Collective, London’s Secret Cafe & Plant Shop
Needless to say, The Vaults Collective in Crystal Palace is one of the most unexpected secret cafes in London.
I’ve talked a lot about those in a complete guide, and yes indeed, this one is really different.
At first glance, it looks like nothing in particular from the street.
There’s a little sign, La Mouche Bakery, and a beautiful door, and that’s exactly when photographing this beautiful door that I realized there was something more to be seen.
When you enter, The Vaults Collective looks like a small plant shop, but step inside and you’ll find an entire hidden space filled with greenery, housewares, and one of the best vegan bakeries in the city.
It’s split into two spaces/brands: La Mouche Bakery, and Ivy and the Wolf, the plant and homeware shop.
The Vaults Collective London: Why It Feels Like a Hidden World
As I said, the first time I walked in, I genuinely didn’t expect to find a full coffee shop behind the plant shelves.
Everything here feels soft and slow, really indie and almost hippie, from the smell of coffee to the way light hits the windows around mid-afternoon.
You can sit in a quiet corner at the front surrounded by spider plants and gardening books, or settle at a small wooden table near the back while jazz or indie plays in the background.
The table I chose is at the front of the coffee shop; step further through the plants (looks like a jungle!), and you’ll reach the counter and the actual cafe with plenty more seats.
Secret Cafes in London: What to Try at La Mouche Bakery and Coffee Shop
La Mouche is the in-house vegan bakery that makes The Vaults Collective such a gem.
Ultra-chocolatey brownies, frangipane raspberry cakes, cinnamon slices, Victoria sponge — all made from scratch, and all genuinely delicious.
When I went, I took a latte and two pastries (of course).
The first one that caught my attention is the peanut butter brownie (of course x2).
Peanut butter and chocolate is a blend I love very much, but try and keep as special little treats when I find them in London’s quirky cafes.
Since I’m not one for chocolate desserts (far from it), I very much loved the purity of the peanut butter, but found the actual brownie a little too dark chocolate-based.
Let’s not forget these are vegan brownies.
To be fair, and even if I have a more vegetarian diet these days when I can’t find a halal restaurant, I didn’t feel a difference in taste or texture from classic brownies.
The second vegan pastry that caught my eyes (the first one, actually!) was the Unicorn Poop Blondie.
I just had to try a new multicolor cake, and its fun name definitely pushed me over the edge.
I have no true idea what was inside, all I know is it was absolutely wonderful.
Even the drinks feel special; while I ordered a classic latte, La Mouche Bakery also serves rose latte, earl grey, and spiced hot chocolates on the menu.
And yes, everything is 100% vegan.
But nothing here felt like a compromise: the bakes are soft and full of flavor, and the drinks menu leans more playful and instagram-worthy than plant-based cliché.
The Vaults Collective London: More Than a Cafe
Beyond the coffee and cake, The Vaults Collective is packed with homewares and handmade pieces.
You’ll find ceramics, plant pots, greeting cards, incense, and woven baskets — all curated with a very specific aesthetic.
Nothing feels mass-made or filler: even the pricing is fair, though yes, some homeware pieces will run higher than expected.
The layout changes often, and the atmosphere always feels alive, especially when the back tables fill up with regulars or someone brings in their dog.
Everything about the space says local favorite, not tourist trap, and that’s exactly what the new friend I made there told me.
The Vaults Collective London: A Female-Run Hidden Gem
The Vaults Collective was started by two women — one behind the plants and interiors, and one behind the bakery.
It originally opened as a pop-up during lockdown and slowly grew into a permanent shop, and I think that stands out is how much intention you can feel at The Vaults Collective.
From the playlists to the shelf layout, nothing is just thrown together, even if some racks and parts of the shop look it.
It’s become one of those local secrets that people don’t gatekeep, but that most tourists don’t get to see because Crystal Palace is more of a hidden gem neighborhood than a tourist place.
What’s interesting on top of everything is that for those looking to attend unique workshops, The Vaults Collective organizes perfume workshops, cacti and succulent, and beautiful terrarium workshops as well.
Great if you’re looking for non touristy things to do in London!
The Vaults Collective London: Know Before You Go
The Vaults Collective is located at 61 Westow Hill, Crystal Palace, London SE19 1TS.
The nearest station is Crystal Palace, around a 10-minute walk away, and it’s open every day except Sundays.
There’s no booking system: you just walk in, find a seat, and order at the counter.
It’s fully vegan, fully dog-friendly, and the toilets are downstairs close to the vault — just something to keep in mind if you’re visiting with kids, a buggy, or need accessible entry.
If you like your cafes quiet, aesthetic, and packed with character, this one belongs on your list.
And if you’re into hidden gems in London as much as I am, these are a few guides to read to complete your bucket list: